We welcome you to the Cottonwood Art Festival, now celebrating its 41st year.
 

Applications will be available through ZAPPlication only. Deadline is June 18, 2010.

How to Apply on Zapp

The official Artist Host Hotel for Cottonwood 2010 Spring Art Festival is the Courtyard by Marriott: 1000 S Sherman St. Richardson, TX 75081 (972) 235-5000 ASK FOR THE $72 COTTONWOOD RATE! Festival Hours Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Directions: To Cottonwood Park | To Courtyard by Marriott

Artists! Need a Cottonwood logo to put on your site? Use one of these: (Right-click, select copy, and then paste on your site!)

Application Deadline & Notification
Application can be done through Zapplication. Applications for the Spring 2010 festival must be received no later than June 18, 2010. The artist waiting list is assembled from these applications.

Texas State Sales Tax
It is the responsibility of the artist to apply for the Texas State Sales Tax. The state sales tax rate is 8.25%. For more information on filing call 1-800-252-5555.

About the Festival
This internationally award winning Festival not only showcases the finest art and crafts in the nation, but also features incredible performing and culinary arts. The Cottonwood staff dedicates themselves to the exhibiting artist, whose talents are what make this festival successful. Qualified applicants from around the world submit their applications to be scrutinized by the Cottonwood Jurors. Only 240 Artists will be selected to exhibit, many whose work seldom appears outside a museum or gallery. The bi-annual event allows art collectors the opportunity to personally meet the artist, view original works, and purchase world class art. The experience that develops between a patron and the artist may last a lifetime.

The 16 fine art/fine crafts categories are: 2-D Mixed Media, 3-D Mixed Media, Clay, Decorative Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Oil, Watercolor, Drawing/Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Wearable Fiber, Wood and Leather.

Festival guidelines require that all participating artists be present throughout the show and that they exhibit a majority of original art in their exhibit space. Limited edition signed reproductions are permitted.

Highlights

• Art Collectors from Texas and Surrounding States Attend Cottonwood
• Varied Menu of Fine Food, Wine and Beer
• Local Boy Scout Troop will help you load and unload your merchandise
• Beautiful Lakeside Setting
• Live Entertainment on the “Courtyard Stage” as well as in Select Areas Throughout the Festival
• Hands-On Children's Art Activities and Entertainment
• State and Regional Advertising, Promotion and Public Relations
• Flat Booth Fee, No Commissions
• Free Map and Commemorative Brochure Highlighting Featured Artists
• Festival Website Promotes Cottonwood Art Festival Throughout The Year
• Complimentary Tickets (2) to the Friday Night VIP Dinner Party
• Booth Sitters Available Upon Request
• Free Festival Shuttle System and Parking
• 24 Hour On Site Security from Set-Up until Load-Out

• The Festival is open to all applying Artists. All exhibitors are presented to the jury without distinction as having been a previous Cottonwood exhibitor.
  
• If two or more persons collaborate to produce original work, each person must be identified on the Application. No work by apprentices or employees will be accepted. Commercial agents, dealers, or manufacturers are not eligible to enter. No kits, molds, tumbled stones, embellished objects or edible art may be submitted.
  
• Artists may jury in more than one category, but not with the same body of work. Only one application may be submitted per body of work with a jury fee for each category. Artist must use the same name for both applications. Artists whose work is selected in multiple categories will exhibit in one booth space.
  
• Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry.
  
• Corner booths are limited and assigned by the Festival Director.
  
• All Artists must be present on site during the entire festival. Spouses or other representatives will not be permitted to substitute for the artist.
  
• A picture ID is required at time of check in.
• You will receive a financial sheet inside your artist packet; you must fill out your earnings for both days and return it to headquarters before you leave on Sunday. This report is confidential!
  
• Artists must define “a limited edition” through their Artist Statement and must disclose their process to the buyer. Original art must occupy more than 50% of the applicant’s booth space. Postcards, books, note cards, posters and t-shirts are not permitted.
  
• All hanging work must be suitably framed. Prints must be appropriately matted and must be displayed in a suitable portfolio or stand.
  
• Prints exhibited by artists accepted in the graphics/printmaking category must be limited editions (750) and properly signed and numbered. Reproductions of other 2-D work must be clearly labeled “Reproduction”.
  
• Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each must be signed.
  
• Artists must comply with all staff and uniformed security regarding site safety and regulations. Vehicles must be parked only in designated areas, noncompliance will result in elimination from consideration for any future festivals.
  
• Each artist must supply their own 10’ x 10’ clean white tent.
  
• Rentals are acceptable. More information on rentals will be included in the acceptance brochure.
  
• Unprofessional behavior during the festival and during set-up and tear-down is noted by staff. Please be nice!

American Cancer Society – Luminaria Ceremony
Cottonwood Art Festival is proud to partner with the American Cancer Society and extend our Outreach Program. Relay for Life, the ACS signature event, will be held in Richardson May 21-22, 2010. Part of the event is a Luminaria Ceremony which honors and remembers those who have battled cancer. The luminarias are purchased and on display throughout the duration of the event, and will be picked up by the buyer or recipient at the close of the relay. Many keep the bag as a keepsake and often times frame the bag to hang in a special place. Cottonwood Art Festival is excited to share the talents of its fine artists for this great cause.

We invite you to decorate a bag (or two) that the ACS will sell to those wishing to purchase a luminaria for a loved one. If you are interested in adding your artistic talent to a luminaria please email serri.ayers@cor.gov. We will provide the bags at the time of check-in. You will have the weekend to work on the bag(s). If you are a local artist and would like more time, feel free to stop by our office to pick up a bag.

Bags will be collected by staff on Sunday, May 2. If you are interested in purchasing a bag, click here for more information.

Check-In & Set-Up

• Booth set-up may begin after you have checked in at the festival check-in location and picked up your packet with your booth number and other festival information.
• Photo Identification is required at check-in!
• You have one hour to unload your vehicle before moving to artist parking.
• Do not block the park street with your vehicle.
• No vehicles are allowed on the park grass or park sidewalk.
• Unloading is done from the curb, a dolly is recommended.
• A Boy Scout Troop is available for assistance.
• Saturday load-in and set-up must be complete by 8:30 a.m.
• Click here for map and directions.
• Click here for a map of Cottonwood Park.

• Artist parking on Saturday and Sunday is located across the street from the park at the high school football stadium parking lot.
• There will be festival staff available at the entrance of the parking lot to take your parking pass.
• You may not park anywhere near the festival grounds!
• There will be a free shuttle running both days from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• No RV’s or unhitched trailers of any kind are allowed to park in the festival parking lot or along the park street.
• RV’s that are parking in the stadium parking lot will not have access to electricity.

Tear Down

• Vehicles will not be allowed in the park for load-out until the street is opened by a festival official and you have obtained a load-up pass from boy scouts.
• Passes will be given only when your booth area has been completely broken down and packed up.
• No early breakdown, festival officially closes at 6:00 p.m. and due to safety concerns the street will not be opened for artists until patrons have cleared the roadway.